November 8, 2020; 10:40, in the Reception Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul

  Robert Yulian, Director of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, had returned from the first meeting to the hotel without much gain. Now he was on his way to the reception room at the appointed time for a second meeting, where he was to meet the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs again.

  “Welcome. Did you have a good rest yesterday?”


  Vice-Minister Park Hyung-oh welcomed him outstretching his hand for a handshake, just like he did the previous day.

  “I couldn’t rest very comfortably.”


  Director Yulian answered rather curtly as he shook hands with the Vice-Minister.

  “Oh no. I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t have a good rest since this is your first visit to Korea in a really long while.”


  “Let’s cut to the chase since I have to fly back to the United States tonight.”


  Director Yulian was obviously not in a good mood. Sensing this, the other Korean officials, who were in the reception room, exchanged uneasy glances.

  “Yes, of course.”


  “Do you have a reply to what the U.S. government had suggested yesterday?”


  “Yes, I’ve reported to the President and got an answer from him.”


  Lee Soo-jong, Presidential Secretary for Security Strategy at the National Security Office, replied.

  “Let me hear it.”


  “He refused your proposal.”


  “What? He rejected it?”


  Director Yulian clearly was not happy with what he heard, and he didn’t hide his disappointment.

  “But the President has made a counter-proposal,” Presidential Secretary Lee Soo-jong said.

  “What is it?”


  Director Yulian asked back immediately, but the Presidential Secretary for Security Strategy intentionally took time before answering him.

  “The Republic of Korea is currently at war with China. It’s too early for a country to sign a military intelligence agreement and exchange classified information with another country at a time when a war is going on and the nation’s survival is at stake. For that reason, the President said that Korea can sign a military intelligence agreement and exchange various military technologies that the U.S. wants, except for highly classified intel, only after Korea wins the war.”


  Director Yulian couldn’t figure out how to interpret Lee Soo-jong’s answer. He wondered if the counter-proposal Lee was telling him was going to be favorable for the U.S. in the long run, if not immediately, or if it was just a wordplay.

  “What do you think, Director Yulian?”


  Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Hyung-oh asked, looking at Director Yulian who was in deep thought after hearing about the counter-proposal.

  “Oh! I’m sorry. I was just thinking. When do you think the war will end?”


  “I’ll answer that question.”


  Kang Byung-woo, Head of the Ministry of National Defense Strategic Resources Management Office, replied.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard it through the State Department intelligence team that the Chinese used chemical warfare in Ji-Ling and attacked our civilian ships in the West Philippine Sea.”


  “Yes, I know about it.”


  “I knew it. America’s intel power never ceases to amaze me.”


  Vice-Minister Park Hyung-oh butted in the conversation to express his amazement at the U.S.’s intelligence power.

  “As of now, the war between Korea and China is getting more complex than we’d anticipated. But we know we’ll prevail in the end. However, we predict that the war is going to last for at least a year.”


  “A year? Isn’t that too long? I’m sure it will have a significant blow to Korea as well if it lasts for a year.”


  “Yes, you are right. If foreign trade routes are disrupted, the war could last longer.”


  “What is it that you want from us then?”


  Director Yulian asked because it suddenly hit him that the Korean officials must have something in their mind. This time, Presidential Secretary Lee Soo-jong answered, trying to sound rather casual.

  “I wouldn’t say it is something that we want from you, but we are wondering if you could ensure the safety of Korean ships in the West Philippine Sea, that is, if you want to sign a military intelligence agreement with Korea sooner than later. What do you think?”


  “Do you want the U.S. to get involved in Korea’s war with China?”


  Director Yulian asked reprehensively, apparently finding the idea unacceptable.

  “No, that’s not what I meant. How can we demand the United States to engage in a war? We can deal with China alone without any external support. However, we are wondering if the U.S. Navy could step in to contain China because China is resorting to all sorts of illegal armed activities in the West Philippine Sea while ignoring the rights of other countries in the Exclusive Economic Zone.”


  “If the US Navy will do so, I’m afraid it will definitely result in an armed skirmish with China,” answered Yulian.

  In response, Presidential Secretary Lee Soo-jong presented a suggestion.

  “Director Yulian, don’t you think you have a cause in this? In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague, the Netherlands, ruled that the ‘nine-dotted line’ dispute claimed by China was invalid because it had no legal grounds, don’t you remember? Yet China is attacking civilian ships after illegally building military facilities on reefs in international waters. If you continue to ignore their illegal activities, you will not be fulfilling your responsibilities as the leader in international peacekeeping efforts. I’m just reminding you this just in case we would be misunderstood, and we are not forcing you to do this.”


  Although he said Korea was not forcing the U.S. to intervene, it only sounded to Director Yulian that Korea was telling him to protect the civilian ships if the US wanted to sign a military agreement with Korea sooner than later.

  “I fully understand what you mean. But I’ll give you an answer only after I return to the U.S. and think about it more.”


  “Okay. I appreciate it.”


  * * *

  November 8, 2020, 12:50 (11:50 China time), the Great Plains west of Sun-Yang, China

  It’s been three hours since the battle in the Great Plains west of Sun-Yang ended with a victory for the Korean military, but Chinese tanks and armored vehicles were still spotted moving throughout the plains. Some of them have already surrendered by hanging white flags outside the vehicles. Still, other Chinese soldiers were in a state of quandary, not knowing what to do, because all the leaders of their Group Army who could issue the highest-level orders had been killed, and even their subordinate commanders and other leaders had been killed in the battle, consequently destroying their chain of command.

  In response, the Korean military split into several platoons and launched a search operation for Chinese troops by mobilizing tanks from the Capital Armored Division (the Tiger).

  KRRRRR! VRRRR!

  “Enemy tank at two o’clock in front. Stand by for the target at 1,200-m distance. Sergeant Ahn! Blow them out if they turn the gun barrel toward us.”


  “Aye, aye, sir! Oh, wow. That’s a second-generation old-fashioned Type-80 tank. Did it just come out of a museum or what? Hahaha.”


  “Still, it is a tank carrying a gun. Stay alert and keep your eyes on it.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Sergeant Ahn Ho-won, the only ranker-level soldier among all tank gunners, answered. Shortly, No. 511 tank approached within a close range, but the old-fashioned Type-80 Chinese tank dropped its gun barrel toward the ground as much as it could, signaling that it had no intention to attack and stopped the maneuver.

  “Get out of the tank if you don’t want to drop dead!”


  When the warning was sent through an external loudspeaker, the Chinese soldiers slowly crawled out of the tank hatch, as if they understood Korean.

  “Suckers. They understood what I said.”


  The old-fashioned Type-80 tank was made by China in the ’80s by improving on the previous Type-59/60 tank model. Back in the day, it was the main tank model that the Chinese had used, but it became an old-model tank when an increasing number of Type-96 and Type-99 tanks were fielded and some frontline units were disposing them. The model used 105-mm wire guns and 12.7-mm/7.62-mm machine guns; it also had side skirts installed. Western technology was applied on its internal equipment, if only partially. It was a tank model with a tragic history because it was known to have crushed protesters who demanded democratization during the Tiananmen incident in 1989.

  – This is 511 speaking. Please send an armored vehicle to sector 2-1. Three defeated soldiers have been captured!

  The driver of No. 511 tank requested, through the battalion’s communication network, for a backup of an armored vehicle while keeping his eye on the Chinese tank crew, who had the hatch of their tanks opened and were standing awkwardly.

  This was how the defeated Chinese soldiers who could not return to their units were captured in the Great Plains west of Sun-Yang. All Chinese tanks were blown up and destroyed without leaving a trace.

  * * *

  November 8, 2020, 14:00, Bunker B2 bunker in Yongsan-gu, Seoul (the Situation Room of the Joint Command and Control Center)

  With only one hour left until the execution of level 2 Emperor Chiu punishment, the Situation Room of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had been bustling with activity.

  Dozens of operators were busy in their monitors and consoles, while frontline controllers were engaged in reporting and issuing orders while checking the final data. In this situation, General Kang Yi-sik, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as military leaders and commanders of various military units attended the meeting for the final review on the execution of level 2 Emperor Chiu punishment.

  “Director of Intelligence, thank you for all your hard work. Thanks to you, we were able to track 75 percent of the mobile launching vehicles. It was not a hundred percent, but still, 75 is an impressive number.”


  Since the beginning of the war with China, the Intelligence Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has been continuously tracking mobile-type launcher vehicles. The information he collected proved to be of great help in launching the level 2 Emperor Chiu punishment scheduled to take place in an hour.

  “I’m very flattered, Chairman, but I just did what I had to do. I’m sorry I couldn’t track all of them 100 percent.”


  “What you accomplished with this level of technology is highly commendable! Don’t worry about the percentage.”


  “Thank you for your kind words, sir.”


  “Haha, well, then. Come on. Let’s get the meeting started.”


  “Yes, sir. The Missile Command Center will start first with a report on the current status of preparation.”


  Lieutenant General Ahn Kil-won, Chief of Operations, said, as he came closer to the microphone. In response, Major General Lee Jin-hyun, Director of the Missile Command Center, walked to the microphone to present his report.

  “A total of 24 Astra-PIPs (ICBMs) is on standby at three ground-based defense satellites, Hades Silos. In addition, a total of 80 mobile launch vehicles, including the Hyunmu-PIP (IRBM) missiles, are on standby across the country.”


  “The situation calls for a plan for additional secondary attacks in case there is an interception. Are the spare launchers ready as well?”


  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff asked.

  “As of now, we have one Astra-PIP reserve missile ready for each Silo.”


  “Next, the Air Force Operations Command will make the report.”


  As soon as the Chief of Operations ended his report, Lieutenant General Kim Eun-ho, Commander of the Air Force’s Operations Command came closer to the microphone and reported.

  “We have 10 Green Dragon bombers under the Chungju 19th Fighter Wing’s Strategic Bombing Mission Unit and 12 Green Dragon bombers under the Seongnam 15th Special Mission Flight Unit. All of them are on standby while being armed with 5 units of K-PAB2 each.”


  “Since we will be advancing deep into the mainland of China, we should have escorts well prepared as well.”


  The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said to confirm.

  “A total of four Red Phoenix and Black Phoenix fighter jets will be escorting each Green Dragon bomber.”


  “Great.”


  “Next is the report from the Aerospace Force.”


  “This is Lieutenant General Lee Kyung-hyun, Air Force Combat Commander. Currently, coordinates for the target have been entered in Zeus 1 for the execution of the Emperor Chiu punishment. There are three K-SE Epirus missiles to be used.”


  “How many Epirus missiles do you have left?”


  “We currently have 10 Epirus missiles.”


  General Kang Yi-sik, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said with a look of regret after hearing the answer.

  “We could have ended this war easily if only we had at least three Zeus satellites. When is the Zeus 2 satellite scheduled to be launched?”


  “I understand that it is scheduled to be launched in June next year.”


  The Chief of Operations spoke.

  “June next year. That leaves us with no other choice then.”


  General Kang Yi-sik rose from his seat, put both hands on his waist and spoke.

  “The execution of level 2 Emperor Chiu punishment will make a significant difference in this war between Korea and China. Therefore, I ask all military commanders to keep up the good work and continue to do your best to end this war soon. I am counting on you all. That’s all for today’s meeting.”


  * * *

  November 8, 2020; 15:00, Bunker B2 in Yongsan-gu, Seoul (the Situation Room of the Joint Command and Control Center)

  “Level 2 Emperor Chiu punishment begins.”


  In the Situation Room, as the clock struck three in the afternoon, General Kang Yi-sik shouted loud enough to be heard throughout the room. In response, operators in charge of communications informed each of their military commander of the start of the operation. The attack process kicked off first in the aerospace unit Zeus satellite.

  “I got a report from the control room of the strategic interception satellite, Zeus. Currently, three Epirus missiles have been fired normally toward the designated targets. These will take 27 minutes to land.”


  An operator in charge of communications said, turning his head to look toward General Kang Yi-sik.

  Three Epirus missiles launched from Zeus, a stationary satellite floating 36,000 kilometers above the sky, reached the speed of Mach 65 and were flying toward mainland China, while adding gravity-induced drop speeds and self-propelled force during the process.

  “Eight Astra-PIP missiles launched successfully from Hades 1.”


  “Eight Astra-PIP missiles launched successfully from Hades 2.”


  “Eight Astra-PIP missiles launched successfully from Hades 3.”


  “Ten Green Dragon bombers completed launching from the 19th Fighter Wing. Twenty-eight minutes to the bombing point!”


  “Twelve Green Dragon bombers completed launching from the 15th Special Mission Squad. Thirty minutes to the bombing point!”


  “Of the 80 Hyunmu-PIP (IRBM), 55 have been successfully launched so far and are continuing to be launched.”


  Reports that various ballistic missiles were being fired as scheduled and planned in advance were coming in from the operator in real time.

  * * *

  November 8, 2020, 15:15 (14:15 China time), Bunker Situation Room, Joint Command Center of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, China

  The Joint Command Center of the Central Military Commission was in a state of panic. Their ambitious counter-attack resulted in the total destruction of two group armies. To make matters worse, there was a great uproar within the Central Military Commission with everybody pointing fingers at each other over the failed operation, and now, all hell broke loose in the center in the wake of the report that ballistic missiles were being fired by the Korean military.

  The Korean military had not used midrange ballistic missiles even at the beginning of the war. But now that the Korean military was firing them, the Chinese military forces were sending radar waves not only to antiaircraft radars but also to destroyers deployed throughout China to prepare for ballistic missile detection and interception.

  President Xi Jinping’s fists were shaking as he observed what was happening in the busy Situation Room.

  “Sleazy bastards.”


  Since the war broke out, China never had any real victory, and the Chinese forces even had the Sun-Yang area seized by the Korean military forces. And now, the President found himself being terrified at the report about the ballistic missile attacks by Korea. This whole situation made him angry at himself. His self-pity was fueling his anger to reach a boiling point when suddenly he remembered having had a telephone conversation with the Korean President earlier that morning.

  Three hours ago, a call came from the Korean President via a hotline.

  – Good morning, President Xi Jinping. Is everything all right with you?

  – Well, I’ve been better. Why did you call me?

  – I have a suggestion for you.

  – A suggestion? About what?

  – I suggest that you do not use weapons against humanity, such as tactical nuclear weapons, strategic nuclear weapons, and CBR attacks in the war between our two countries for the sake of our people and soldiers.

  – What the hell? You have the nerve to tell me that considering how you invaded us.

  – Are you calling Korea an invader? That’s not fair. This war was started by China. It’s written in every military strategy textbook: “If you know the enemy’s plan to attack, it is essential for you to make a preemptive strike if you want to win.”


  – Stop being ridiculous. When did we ever plan to attack you?

  – Didn’t you use a 15-day military training as an excuse to move four group armies to the border along the Yalu River? Don’t lie to me anymore because I have in my possession evidence of this.

  – What? Lie? Don’t be so rude. And President Suh Hyun-woo, I will never forgive Korea for having invaded us. Finally, tactical nuclear weapons are only the beginning, and I warn you that soon, you and your people will painfully experience the horror of nuclear missiles.

  There was indescribable anger in Xi Jinping’s voice that was coming from the other side of the phone.

  – President Xi Jinping, are you saying you’re insistent on using nuclear weapons until the end?

  – Why not? Are you scared? Then withdraw your armed forces immediately and prepare to compensate us for war damage.

  – I didn’t say I was scared. And we have had experience in blocking all your nuclear and missile attacks too.

  – What does that mean? When did we ever attack you with nuclear missiles?

  – Stop denying it. In the early days of the war, didn’t you shoot nuclear missiles along with regular ballistic missiles toward us? Well, despite that, our military had intercepted them all.

  – Now I see that you called me just to bullshit with me. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I’m hanging up now.

  – President Xi Jinping! If you don’t give me a definite answer now, something regretful will—


  The infuriated President Xi Jinping hung up the phone before the Korean President could finish talking.

  “Now that I think about it, I regret not having listened to what he had to say.”